First Mock Draft

This is my first mock of the offseason. Obviously will be tough to mock until we get through FA, but I'm just going forward here with assumptions. My assumptions here are we re-sign Ward, Dreessen, Myers, and Brisiel on offense. We also give Foster a new deal. Defensively, we re-sign Dobbins and tender Demps. We also re-sign Rackers.

Obviously this means we do not re-sign Mario. I hate that and it will kill me if we don't, but it is what it is. We can use that $15 million salary to re-sign some other guys (Foster, Myers, and Brisiel) and we already have guys in place to replace him (somewhat). Also let Jason Allen walk, so that means it's do or die time for Kareem.

- 1) WR is a huge need, we all know it. Sanu is a slight reach here, but I think he's the best guy available to be honest. We could trade down into the top of the 2nd and still grab him, but I'm not going to mock that. I'm down on Jeffery and Wright is more of a slot WR. Dwight Jones is a possibility in the 2nd, but I'd take Sanu in the 1st before Jones in the 2nd. If all else fails, then Jordan White in the 3rd.

- 2) I think Thompson would be an excellent pick here, he would do very well under Phillips. He might not last this long so if he's gone then call it Josh Chapman from Alabama. Those of you that know me know that I'm down on 'big' NT's. I don't feel the need to explain further here. Drafting a guy here allows you to move Mitchell to DE where he's a more natural fit.

Also considered Dwight Jones (WR, North Carolina) and Kevin Zeitler (G, Wisconsin).

- 3) I think we need depth in the secondary and more talent if we let Allen go. I really like Fletcher as FS and that's where I'd put him with this pick. He can also play CB so you could let him compete for a job, but I'd prefer him a FS. Manning was a huge get last year, but I don't think he'll make it through his entire contract as a starter.

- 4) Interior line is a big need, especially C. We need to add a quality C even if we re-sign Myers. I love Molk, he's a fantastic ZBS prospect. I think he would be a steal here to be honest. Could take over for Myers in a few years after a few years of NFL experience.

- 5) If we let Mario walk then we need to add another OLB. I think we need more of a true LB than a Rush-LB type considering who we have on the roster. Burris had a fantastic college career and I consider him one of the heavy sleepers at OLB this year. Another guy to consider here would be Cordarro Law, if he fell this far.

Did not really consider another position here. Maybe a guy like Austin Davis (QB, Southern Miss) if we wanted to add another QB or Isaiah Pead (RB, Cincinnati) if we wanted to add a RB.

- 6) I think we need to add a CB in this draft and a KR. Got Fletcher earlier, but I prefer him as a FS so we knock both out right here. McCoy is raw as a cover guy, but is an excellent return man. I think he could eventually develop into a Nickel guy.

Also considered Chris Rainey (WR/KR, Florida).

- 7) Obviously we need more depth on the O-Line so I address that again here. Jones has a ton of talent, but has not been able to stay healthy. This is the area in the draft where you take risks on guys and Jones is a risk. He could develop into a quality swing tackle and maybe even a RT, or he could never get healthy and bust out.

Also considered Randy Bullock (K, Texas A&M). If we don't re-sign Rackers.

Very nice effort. Like the way you gave other options to be considered, smart.

1. However if you base your projection on things like "Wright is more of a slot WR" we're going to have issues. He is clearly the highest rated player @ position of need here. Line him outside & let him stretch the field. He is really no different than say Torrey Smith for the Ravens, vertical receiver with good body control who creates separation using his speed & athletic ability.

2. Thompson will garner some attention if not selected in the first by 4-3 teams needed DT help early 2nd. Do Like Zeitler in 2nd but only if they don't resign Brisel. LG position seems more in need with combination of swing tackle ability.

3. Like Fletcher, end of 3rd is about right but don't know if he could replace Jason Allen. Decent size & seems pretty physical but think he would take some time like rest of young secondary. Of the names you mentioned maybe Kendall Reyes should be your pick if set on addressing NG rotation, like his motor.

4. Your right about Molk being a good ZBS fit but I for one would like to see Texans get bigger & more physically imposing if upgrading the OL. Like position addressed but prefer Baylor Center Phillip Blake. Like a couple of your other picks Joe Adams & Ryan Miller. Sense changed 2nd to Zeitler would go with Joe Adams as your full time special teams return man & work him into the WR rotation.

5. You got me on Miles Burris, OLB. Like position addressed with Mario gone.

6. Greg McCoy, CB. Don't know much about him either. Seems like we have good depth already with DB's with at least average talent, need to take a higher rated CB earlier besides Fletcher & kill two birds with one stone. Don't understand why people think Chris Rainey is a late round pick? Reminds me of a Percy Harvin, DeSean Jackson or at least Dexter McCluster all taken much earlier.

I think Sanu has the potential to develop into a #1. I don't see that with Wright. Sanu could be your long-term replacement for Andre, who is getting older and only has maybe 3-4 more years left as an elite WR. I like Wright, but I think Sanu's ceiling is unlimited.

In the 2nd I chose Thompson because that addressed the D-Line need and you can move Mitchell to DE. I would definitely go O-Line in the 1st 2 rounds if we don't re-sign both Myers and Brisiel.

I don't really think we need to replace Allen with another player, I think it's time for Kareem to step up and not have to be platooned. Good Nickel CB in McCain and you have a guy like Harris who needs to step up and compete for playing time. I like Fletcher competing at the position, but long-term see him as a Safety. I like Reyes, but adding Thompson nullifies that. Take a G in the 2nd and I'd consider Reyes or Mike Martin in the 3rd.

If you take Adams in the 4th that only makes me more certain of Sanu in the 1st. I would like to address O-Line here though. If you watch Molk's film the guy makes unreal blocks in that ZBS scheme. He's stronger than people give him credit and while he's not as imposing as some other guys, I think he's more talented. Myers isn't exactly imposing either.

McCoy was basically a reach pick. One of the better return guys in the draft and I'm in the dump Jacoby Jones camp. If you take Wright or Adams this is not a need pick. As for Rainey, he'll probably move up boards after the combine but he's going to have to beat the mantra that he's just a track guy.

Jones was just a guess. Not many O-Lineman available this late. I think you take a flyer on a small school guy here or grab someone who fell.

This is my first mock of the offseason. Obviously will be tough to mock until we get through FA, but I'm just going forward here with assumptions. My assumptions here are we re-sign Ward, Dreessen, Myers, and Brisiel on offense. We also give Foster a new deal. Defensively, we re-sign Dobbins and tender Demps. We also re-sign Rackers.

Obviously this means we do not re-sign Mario. I hate that and it will kill me if we don't, but it is what it is. We can use that $15 million salary to re-sign some other guys (Foster, Myers, and Brisiel) and we already have guys in place to replace him (somewhat). Also let Jason Allen walk, so that means it's do or die time for Kareem.

- 1) WR is a huge need, we all know it. Sanu is a slight reach here, but I think he's the best guy available to be honest. We could trade down into the top of the 2nd and still grab him, but I'm not going to mock that. I'm down on Jeffery and Wright is more of a slot WR. Dwight Jones is a possibility in the 2nd, but I'd take Sanu in the 1st before Jones in the 2nd. If all else fails, then Jordan White in the 3rd.

- 2) I think Thompson would be an excellent pick here, he would do very well under Phillips. He might not last this long so if he's gone then call it Josh Chapman from Alabama. Those of you that know me know that I'm down on 'big' NT's. I don't feel the need to explain further here. Drafting a guy here allows you to move Mitchell to DE where he's a more natural fit.

Also considered Dwight Jones (WR, North Carolina) and Kevin Zeitler (G, Wisconsin).

- 3) I think we need depth in the secondary and more talent if we let Allen go. I really like Fletcher as FS and that's where I'd put him with this pick. He can also play CB so you could let him compete for a job, but I'd prefer him a FS. Manning was a huge get last year, but I don't think he'll make it through his entire contract as a starter.

- 4) Interior line is a big need, especially C. We need to add a quality C even if we re-sign Myers. I love Molk, he's a fantastic ZBS prospect. I think he would be a steal here to be honest. Could take over for Myers in a few years after a few years of NFL experience.

- 5) If we let Mario walk then we need to add another OLB. I think we need more of a true LB than a Rush-LB type considering who we have on the roster. Burris had a fantastic college career and I consider him one of the heavy sleepers at OLB this year. Another guy to consider here would be Cordarro Law, if he fell this far.

Did not really consider another position here. Maybe a guy like Austin Davis (QB, Southern Miss) if we wanted to add another QB or Isaiah Pead (RB, Cincinnati) if we wanted to add a RB.

- 6) I think we need to add a CB in this draft and a KR. Got Fletcher earlier, but I prefer him as a FS so we knock both out right here. McCoy is raw as a cover guy, but is an excellent return man. I think he could eventually develop into a Nickel guy.

Also considered Chris Rainey (WR/KR, Florida).

- 7) Obviously we need more depth on the O-Line so I address that again here. Jones has a ton of talent, but has not been able to stay healthy. This is the area in the draft where you take risks on guys and Jones is a risk. He could develop into a quality swing tackle and maybe even a RT, or he could never get healthy and bust out.

Also considered Randy Bullock (K, Texas A&M). If we don't re-sign Rackers.

Click to expand...

Appreciate your efforts but agree with Beerlover especially on Wright as he and Jordan White can play both Flanker and slot superbly.

Appreciate your efforts but agree with Beerlover especially on Wright as he and Jordan White can play both Flanker and slot superbly.

Click to expand...

Of course you do. You are in love with the guy. Not that anything is wrong with that! I was one of the first ones on this board to point him out. He was a great college WR. And I think he's going to be really good in the NFL. buy that doesn't mean that he fits in our offense. It sure doesn't mean kubiak will think that he can play in it. Take a look at our top three WR's. All are over 6'2" and around 215 or more. You have to be big enough to make a difference in run blocking to fit in here. At least that is the way it's been for the last few years. I haven't seen anything that would give anyone the idea that it's not.

Of course you do. You are in love with the guy. Not that anything is wrong with that! I was one of the first ones on this board to point him out. He was a great college WR. And I think he's going to be really good in the NFL. buy that doesn't mean that he fits in our offense. It sure doesn't mean kubiak will think that he can play in it. Take a look at our top three WR's. All are over 6'2" and around 215 or more. You have to be big enough to make a difference in run blocking to fit in here. At least that is the way it's been for the last few years. I haven't seen anything that would give anyone the idea that it's not.

Click to expand...

We have changed defense and types of DBs we have used. We have suffered thru "big" WRs and big, older vets with little success. I think WRs like Jordan White, Broyles and Wright play tall and have great stats. They can take huge hits, hold the ball and keep on playing. Sure if all things are close to equal I'd take a 6'2 215-225 4.55 guy over 5'10" 4.49 guy. But with these 3, thngs are not equal. I have watched Wright's every games this season and he is the bomb.

I have Jeffery as the texans spot. If you watch the guy running slants and the way he always catches the ball away from his body, he's like a brandon marshall type. He's tough to tackle and is a great red zone threat and end zone guys. Physical player in pass and run game.

This is my first mock of the offseason. Obviously will be tough to mock until we get through FA, but I'm just going forward here with assumptions. My assumptions here are we re-sign Ward, Dreessen, Myers, and Brisiel on offense. We also give Foster a new deal. Defensively, we re-sign Dobbins and tender Demps. We also re-sign Rackers.

Obviously this means we do not re-sign Mario. I hate that and it will kill me if we don't, but it is what it is. We can use that $15 million salary to re-sign some other guys (Foster, Myers, and Brisiel) and we already have guys in place to replace him (somewhat). Also let Jason Allen walk, so that means it's do or die time for Kareem.

- 1) WR is a huge need, we all know it. Sanu is a slight reach here, but I think he's the best guy available to be honest. We could trade down into the top of the 2nd and still grab him, but I'm not going to mock that. I'm down on Jeffery and Wright is more of a slot WR. Dwight Jones is a possibility in the 2nd, but I'd take Sanu in the 1st before Jones in the 2nd. If all else fails, then Jordan White in the 3rd.

- 2) I think Thompson would be an excellent pick here, he would do very well under Phillips. He might not last this long so if he's gone then call it Josh Chapman from Alabama. Those of you that know me know that I'm down on 'big' NT's. I don't feel the need to explain further here. Drafting a guy here allows you to move Mitchell to DE where he's a more natural fit.

Also considered Dwight Jones (WR, North Carolina) and Kevin Zeitler (G, Wisconsin).

- 3) I think we need depth in the secondary and more talent if we let Allen go. I really like Fletcher as FS and that's where I'd put him with this pick. He can also play CB so you could let him compete for a job, but I'd prefer him a FS. Manning was a huge get last year, but I don't think he'll make it through his entire contract as a starter.

- 4) Interior line is a big need, especially C. We need to add a quality C even if we re-sign Myers. I love Molk, he's a fantastic ZBS prospect. I think he would be a steal here to be honest. Could take over for Myers in a few years after a few years of NFL experience.

- 5) If we let Mario walk then we need to add another OLB. I think we need more of a true LB than a Rush-LB type considering who we have on the roster. Burris had a fantastic college career and I consider him one of the heavy sleepers at OLB this year. Another guy to consider here would be Cordarro Law, if he fell this far.

Did not really consider another position here. Maybe a guy like Austin Davis (QB, Southern Miss) if we wanted to add another QB or Isaiah Pead (RB, Cincinnati) if we wanted to add a RB.

- 6) I think we need to add a CB in this draft and a KR. Got Fletcher earlier, but I prefer him as a FS so we knock both out right here. McCoy is raw as a cover guy, but is an excellent return man. I think he could eventually develop into a Nickel guy.

Also considered Chris Rainey (WR/KR, Florida).

- 7) Obviously we need more depth on the O-Line so I address that again here. Jones has a ton of talent, but has not been able to stay healthy. This is the area in the draft where you take risks on guys and Jones is a risk. He could develop into a quality swing tackle and maybe even a RT, or he could never get healthy and bust out.

Also considered Randy Bullock (K, Texas A&M). If we don't re-sign Rackers.

Click to expand...

Given your assumptions, I would consider replacing Mario and Jason Allen (who was our #2b CB; with K.J. being #2a) higher in the draft. Using 5th and 6th round picks to replace two starters (okay one starter and one quasi-starter) seems like bad planning. And I don't think Wade would stand for it.

Now there may be a BPA-factor in your decision to wait so late to replace those two starters; i.e., there's no CB or OLB worthy of a 2nd or 3rd round pick or there's a 1st/2nd round quality guy that slipped all the way to our 2nd/3rd round spot...

But I just cannot see the logic in using 2nd and 3rd round picks on backups - and with Myers still here and Wade perfectly happy with Cody that's what they'd be - when we just created two new holes (I know, how big those "holes" are is debatable) in the defense by letting Mario and Allen walk. We just got the dang defense fixed, I don't want it to take a big step backwards.

We have changed defense and types of DBs we have used. We have suffered thru "big" WRs and big, older vets with little success.

Click to expand...

Are you sure about that?

I know from the armchair we feel that way, but with the money they spent on KDub & Walter, then bringing in big body guys like Bryant & Mason.... I think the Texans still like the big body WRs.

I spent yesterday.... most of it, watching our early games. Miami, Pittsburgh, Cleveland... Andre, KDub, & Jj are monster blockers downfield.... yes, Jj I think I saw Jj knock 3 Dbs on their butts to get Arian/Tate into the endzone in those three games alone.

production wise, we want to see more big plays.... bigger numbers. But the more I look at this offense, I don't know that it's a talent issue more-so than a philosophy issue.

I think WRs like Jordan White, Broyles and Wright play tall and have great stats. They can take huge hits, hold the ball and keep on playing. Sure if all things are close to equal I'd take a 6'2 215-225 4.55 guy over 5'10" 4.49 guy. But with these 3, thngs are not equal. I have watched Wright's every games this season and he is the bomb.

Click to expand...

I like your thinking. But as I've said before, the bottle neck in the passing game isn't because of our talent at WR. Matt Schaub isn't going to become Eli Manning with smaller, faster WRs.